– 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
– 1 tablespoon olive oil
– 1 medium onion, diced
– 3 cloves garlic, minced
– 3 medium carrots, sliced
– 2 celery stalks, diced
– 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
– 1 cup orzo pasta (or rice)
– 1 lemon, juiced and zested
– 2 cups baby spinach
– 1 teaspoon dried oregano
– ½ teaspoon dried thyme
– Salt and pepper, to taste
– Fresh parsley, for garnish
Follow these simple steps to create your Mediterranean Lemon Chicken Soup:
1. Cook the Chicken: In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook until browned on both sides, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from the pot and set aside.
2. Sauté Vegetables: In the same pot, add the diced onion, garlic, carrots, and celery. Sauté for about 5 minutes until softened.
3. Add Broth: Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a boil.
4. Cook Pasta: Add the orzo pasta (or rice) to the pot. Cook according to package instructions, usually about 8-10 minutes.
5. Shred Chicken: While the pasta cooks, shred the cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces.
6. Combine Ingredients: Add the shredded chicken back into the pot along with the lemon juice, zest, oregano, thyme, and season with salt and pepper.
7. Add Spinach: Stir in the baby spinach and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until wilted.
8. Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley for a burst of color. Serve hot.